A cash-strapped church could become the latest victim of the credit crunch as mounting debts plunge it into a financial crisis with its vicar praying for a miracle.

Trinity Church in Chalfont Close, Lower Earley, is facing an uncertain future as it tackles losses of up to £1,500 a month, with no immediate sources of income available, meaning its days of worship could be numbered.

If more money cannot be found the church may not survive beyond the end of the year prompting minister The Rev Jon Salmon to call on his flock to dig deep in “increasingly difficult times”.

In last month’s church magazine Mr Salmon said: “We have our own financial crisis at Trinity and many of us are facing increasingly difficult times at home due to the credit crunch.

“We need to be praying for each other and supporting one another as best we can, and finding ways to have fun together.

“This may mean we need to do things differently.”

Mr Salmon insisted just £26.25 each a month from 200 people could ease the financial strain and this was “pitiful” compared to the average monthly income in Lower Earley.

He suggested this [the average monthly income] was more than £520 and has urged the congregation to review its giving and turn the situation around before the church runs out of money.

The church has seen a small increase in its offertory but Mr Salmon believes its size and location means it should be able to generate more income from giving, for which tax can be reclaimed.

Trinity is an ecumenical church and is part of The Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Church of England, and has seen payment to the three denominations rise by £6,000 this year.

In December, the church announced it was looking to recruit a part-time youth worker costing £5,000 per annum, but admitted this was now on hold as the church cannot afford to proceed.

Mr Salmon said: “This is a great shame because there are loads of good opportunities at the moment which, with such a person on board, we could really develop, and do so in conjunction with other local churches.”

Trinity Church is also expected to need a replacement boiler over the next five years at an estimated cost of £20,000 and is considering an appeal because of the lack of funds.

Painting the bleak picture in February’s magazine, Mr Salmon added: “Trinity is in a difficult financial position at the moment.

"If our regular income and expenditure remain static, we’ll run out of cash before the end of 2009.

"This is no joke and is a situation that has been slowly developing in recent years.

“There are no obvious ways to cut expenditure, as we don’t really spend a great deal of money beyond the basics.

"However, there really should be room, even in the present economic climate, to increase our income through increases in giving.”

The Evening Post contacted both Mr Salmon and Trinity Church this week but no-one had responded at the time of going to press.